I was born in and have remained a lifelong resident of Springfield, Il. I attended Griffin High School and completed my undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Degree at Marquette University. While growing up, I had frequent interaction with local attorneys and judges which played a large role in my decision to pursue a career as an Attorney. As a result, I attended Creighton University and obtained my Juris Doctor Degree in 1989. While in Law School I was a legal clerk/intern at several Law Firms located in Omaha and ultimately acted as a 711 Intern in the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office. Following my graduation from Law School and based upon my internship, I was offered and accepted a position as an Assistant State’s Attorney. During my tenure as an Assistant, I handled and tried many Criminal, traffic and DUI cases and developed the skills necessary to navigate the criminal justice system.

I entered the private practice of law in 1990, and the core of my practice involved civil and criminal litigation. As time passed my practice migrated almost exclusively to Criminal, traffic and DUI Defense. In that time span I have defended a wide range of cases from a simple traffic matter to Capital Murder offenses. My goal and practice is the same no matter what the charge and I understand and appreciate the impact criminal charges have upon the lives and liberties of my clients. I believe my experience, background and proven results have garnered the numerous client reviews and testimonials from happy and grateful clients over my 35 years of practice. I endeavor in each case I handle to listen, communicate and provide the absolute best defense available for those facing charges.

My mission is to provide each and every client with the highest quality representation possible in order to obtain the best results achievable in every case. I am further dedicated to vigorously and aggressively defending every client facing charges and ensure that they are heard.

Education

Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska - J.D. - 1989
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - B.A. - 1985Honors: Political Science

Bar Associations

Capital Litigation Trial Bar Association, Member Member Since: 2004 - current
Illinois State Bar Association, Member Member Since: 1989 - current
Sangamon County Bar Association, Member Member Since: 1989 - current
Sangamon Country Bar Association, President Member Since: 2004 - 2005
Sangamon Country Defense Bar Association, President Member Since: 1993 - 2005
Sangamon Country Bar Association, Director Member Since: 1992 - 1993
Sangamon Country Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, President Member Since: 1990 - 1991
American Association for Justice, Member Member Since: 1991
The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member Member Since: 1990
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Member Member Since: 1990

Past Positions

Attorney/Partner at Rabin, Myers & Hanken, P.C., 1996 to 2011
Public Defender at Sangamon County Public Defender, 1997 to 1999
Associate at Long, Morris, Myers and Rabin, P.C., 1994 to 1996
Associate at Pfeifer & Kelty, P.C., 1990 to 1994
Assistant State's Attorney at Sangamon County State's Attorney Office, 1989 to 1990

Certified Legal Specialties

Capital Litigation Trial Bar Association, Capital Litigation Bar, 2004

Classes & Seminars

Gaining The Best Settlement in Auto Injury Cases, NBI, 2009
Aggravated DUI - Resent Developments, ICLE, 2008

Published Works

Gaining the Best Settlement in Auto Injury Cases, Attorney Continuing Legal Education, 2009

Current Employment Position

Solo Practitioner

Honors

Super Lawyer - DUI, Super Lawyers, 2007
Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers - Illinois (American Society of Legal Advocates), 2014
Top 200 DUI Attorneys - Illinois (National Advocacy for DUI Defense), 2013
Top Criminal Defense Lawyer Superb 10.0 Rating AVVO, 2010-2014
Client's Choice Award - Criminal Defense AVVO, 2012
Top Contributor - Criminal Defense AVVO, 2013

Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken Learn more about how an aggressive and experienced Criminal, DUI and Traffic Defense Attorney can help you at www.hankenlaw.com

My mission is to obtain for each and every client the absolute best result achievable. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

Every DUI charge is a serious case, and I give my personal attention and focus to every client. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

My main goal is to help you keep your license and stay on the road. Springfield, IL Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney | 37 Years in Sangamon County Courts | Former Prosecutor | Avvo 10.0 | Super Lawyers 20 Years | W. Scott Hanken

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 40%

40%

DUI and DWI 40%

40%

Speeding and Traffic Ticket 20%

36 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check
Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 36 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1989

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

See All Attorney Licenses See Less Attorney Licenses

Location

W. Scott Hanken

1100 South Fifth Street, Springfield, IL, 62703

hankenlaw.com

Message Get Directions

See All Locations See Less Locations

Gallery

Online Presence

Other places you can find W. online.

Facebook

Firm Website

Illinois Weed Lawyer

W. Scott Hanken's Reviews

Have you consulted or hired this attorney before?

Leave a review for your experience with this attorney.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

182 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(181)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(1 )

See client reviews from Lawyers.com

Filter Avvo Reviews (181) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Star rating

5 stars 180 4 stars 1

3 stars 0

2 stars 0

1 star 0

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense (56) Speeding & Traffic Ticket (52) DUI & DWI (47) Lawsuits & Disputes (15) Car Accidents (3) Drug Crime (3) Administrative Law (1) Business (1) Employment & Labor (1) Expungement (1) Immigration (1) Litigation (1) Violent Crime (1)

What Clients Mention

Case Results (137) Advocacy (65) Recommendation (61) Practice Area Knowledge (38) Professionalism (35) Communication Style (25) Responsiveness (24) Character & Conduct (21) General Knowledge (21) Cost of Services (17) Trustworthiness (14) Compassion (9) Staff & Support (5) Punctuality (3) Free Consultations (1)

Showing 36 - 40 of 183 reviews

Posted by Kevin | March 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Outstanding

Mr. Hanken was outstanding! He answered all my questions and was extremely attentive and responsive. I highly recommend Mr. Hanken. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

Attentiveness and responsiveness are not optional qualities at W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — they are the baseline expectation for every client navigating the stress and uncertainty that comes with facing any legal matter in Springfield, Illinois. Whether the case involves DUI charges, serious criminal charges, CDL violations, or traffic citations before the Sangamon County court system, every client deserves an attorney who answers their questions completely, returns calls promptly, and remains fully engaged from the first consultation through the final resolution — and that is the standard W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has upheld since 1989. More than 35 years of practice have only reinforced my belief that clear, consistent communication between attorney and client is not separate from good legal representation — it is an essential part of it. I am grateful for both the kind words and the recommendation, and it was a genuine pleasure serving you.

Posted by Kyle | March 24, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Had done the impossible!

Scott was without a doubt the best lawyer I could have ask for. He had turned a no win situation in my eyes into a verdict I thought would have been impossible. He was very thorough and walking me through the process of what I needed to do and explained everything in a way that I could understand wit...h no problem. He kept in close contact with me whenever something needed to be updated and explain and made the process simple, even with the pandemic going on. Would recommend 100% for anything. Thank you Scott for all your hard work.

See Full Review Collapse Review

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

Transforming what feels like an impossible situation into a favorable verdict is the highest test of what experienced criminal defense representation can accomplish — and the fact that W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law was able to deliver that outcome while keeping you fully informed and closely supported throughout every stage of the process, including the unprecedented challenges of practicing law during a global pandemic, speaks to the resilience and commitment this office brings to every case. Walking a client through complex legal proceedings in plain, accessible language is not a courtesy at W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — it is a deliberate practice built on the belief that an informed client is always better positioned to achieve the best possible outcome before the Sangamon County court system. That philosophy, combined with more than 35 years of criminal defense experience in Springfield, Illinois since 1989, is what allows this office to find a path forward even when the odds appear overwhelming. The hard work is always worth it when a client walks away with a verdict they never thought possible — thank you for trusting me with yours.

Posted by anonymous | March 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney

1st DUI

Love his passion and determination. Mr. Hanken knows the system! I absolutely chosen the right attorney for the job. Mr. Hanken is straightforward and doesn't hold back. He let's you know where you stand.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

Knowing the system from the inside out is something W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law brings to every case — and that depth of institutional knowledge, forged over more than 35 years of criminal defense practice in Springfield, Illinois and sharpened by years as a former Assistant State’s Attorney, is precisely what allows this office to be completely straightforward with every client about where they stand and what to realistically expect. Passion and determination are not abstract qualities at W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — they are the driving force behind every strategy developed, every argument made, and every case fought before the Sangamon County court system since 1989. I have always believed that a client deserves the unvarnished truth about their situation delivered with confidence and a clear plan of action, and knowing that approach gave you the certainty you needed to feel you had chosen the right attorney means a great deal. Thank you for the trust you placed in this office — it was a privilege to put that passion and determination to work for you.

Posted by Chenai | March 17, 2021 | Hired Attorney

GREAT customer service

My husband had gotten in trouble AGAIN, for the SAME thing he was CURRENTLY on probation for. Scott had already handled that case, from PREVIOUSLY being hired by myself. Low & behold, he came through AGAIN, for a SECOND time, to SAVE THE DAY, & my husband’s probation was EXTENDED an additional 2 yea...rs. ANYONE looking to hire a GREAT lawyer, w/YEARS of experience, I say, CALL Scott ! He’ll work w/you, if money is the issue, he’s 1000% HONEST & STRAIGHT UP ! I don’t think we could’ve gotten better services from ANYONE else ! Thank you, Scott, & keep up the great work !!!

See Full Review Collapse Review

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

When a probation violation involving the same underlying offense brings a client back before the court, the stakes could not be higher — and securing a probation extension rather than a revocation and incarceration is exactly the kind of outcome that requires both deep familiarity with the Sangamon County court system and the kind of tenacious criminal defense advocacy W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law has delivered in Springfield, Illinois since 1989. Being trusted to handle a second serious criminal matter for the same family is not something W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law takes lightly — repeat clients represent the highest expression of confidence a client can place in an attorney, and that trust is met with the same level of preparation, honesty, and determination every single time regardless of the complexity of the circumstances. I also want to acknowledge that affordability and straight talk about fees are real concerns for real families facing real criminal charges, and this office has always worked to ensure that experienced criminal defense representation remains accessible when it is needed most. Thank you for trusting W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law twice — it was an honor both times, and I wish your family all the best going forward.

Posted by anonymous | March 11, 2021 | Hired Attorney

Great Lawyer

He is a very good lawyer. Made me feel at ease and answered my questions that I had so I can understand. I felt like I was in for a long process but Scott was able to get my case dismissed quickly. Highly recommended.

W. Hanken

Replied last May 27, 2026

A swift case dismissal that spares a client from a prolonged legal process is one of the most satisfying outcomes W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law can deliver — and achieving that result efficiently, while ensuring every question is answered and every concern is fully addressed, reflects the standard this office has maintained throughout more than 35 years of legal practice in Springfield, Illinois. Speed and clarity are not mutually exclusive at W. Scott Hanken, Attorney at Law — experienced familiarity with the Sangamon County court system since 1989 means knowing exactly how and where to move a case forward decisively without sacrificing the client communication that makes the entire process feel manageable rather than overwhelming. I am glad the process felt far less daunting than anticipated and that a dismissal was the outcome — that combination of efficiency, accessibility, and results is precisely what every client who walks through this door deserves. Thank you for the kind words and the recommendation — it was a pleasure representing you.

See All Client Reviews

1 ... 7 8 9 ... 37

« First ‹ Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Next › Last »

W. Scott Hanken's Lawyer Endorsements

Received

Given

Endorse W.